Toy ferris wheel



Oct. 19, 1948.

J. M. s'rREFF' TOY FERRIS WHEEL 2 sheets- Sheet 41 BY m,

Patented ct. 19, 1948 UNITED; STATES PATENT GFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to a toy Ferris wheel.

An object of the invention is the production of a Ferris wheel which when in a knocked-down condition can be easily and quickly assembled.

Another object of the invention is the construction of a novel toy of a nature of a ferris wheel which comprises parts that may be made of any suitable material such as metal, plastic, wood,

' and the like.

A still further object of the invention is the -construction of a toy seat or chair carrying wheel which is provided with novel primary spoke bolts that perform a dual function, to wit: they fasten the spokes together as well as provide a belt groove.

Another object of the invention is the construction of a wheel of the class described which is provided with a novel belt groove or receiving means, and with a simple motor arrangement for operating the belt.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, my invention comprises certain novel constructions, combinations, and arrangements of parts as will be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a Ferris wheel constructed in accordance with the present invention, while Figure 2 is a top plan view.

Figure 3 is a front elevation view.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view show ing the platform: see line ll-- and the arrows, Figure 3.

Figure 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional view shiwing two spokes and one of the primary spoke bo ts.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view showing one of the primary spokes, a spoke bolt, and a swinging seat or chair thereon.

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken on line 1 7,`

looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the drawings, in which the preferred embodiment of this invention is illustrated, I, I designates two parallel pieces with a transverse piece Z secured thereto. A motor 3, which may be an electric motor or a spring motor, is suitably mounted on the transverse piece 2. A substantially U-shaped frame i is secured upon the transverse piece 2 for supporting the wheel.

The wheel comprises parallel discs 5 that are secured together by hub bolts 6. An axle bolt 'I extends through the discs 5 and is mounted up-on the upper ends of the U-shaped frame 4, This bolt I is provided with washers or spacers 8, Figure 2. A plurality of spokes 9 are fastened to the discs 5 by auxiliary spoke bolts III. The discs 5, hub bolt 6, and axle bolt 'l constitute the hub of the device or wheel. The spokes 9 are ar ranged in pairs, the spokes in each pair being in parallelism. On the spokes of each pair (Fig. 5) is a primary spoke bolt I I. This bolt is preferably provided with squared portions I2 to prevent the bolt from turning upon the spokes. The outer end of the bolt I I is bent as at I3, Figure 5, which produces a belt groove I4. The drive belt I5 is seated in these belt grooves I4, whereby the bolt performs a dual function, to wit: it fastens the ends of the spokes 9 together as well as produces a belt groove for belt I5.

The belt I5 is mounted upon the belt wheel I6 of the motor 3, Figure 3. Therefore, when the motor is operating the belt I5 will rotate the wheel.

On each primary bolt II is a swinging seat or chair I'I, Figure 6. The arms I 8 of said chair are notched at I9, with the spoke bolt II seated therein. Therefore, these chairs I'I are mounted upon the spokes against accidental displacement, but can be manually removed when the operator desires, such as when dismantling the wheel as a whole.

When it is desired to dismantle the Wheel the wheel is lifted off the bifurcated ends of frame 4, the removable chairs first having been detached from the primary spoke bolts, and then the platform, frame, chairs, and Wheel (constituted by the hub and the spokes) and stored away in comparatively a small amount of space. Likewise, when it is desired to assemble this set of elements this can be easily accomplished. Consequently it will be seen that this is of a knocked-down structure.

While I have described the preferred embodiment of my invention and illustrated the same in the accompanying drawings, certain minor changes or alterations may appear to one skilled in the art to which this invention relates during the extensive manufacture of the same, and I, therefore, reserve the right to make such changes or alterations as shall fairly fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a device of the class described, the combination with a frame, a wheel mounted on said frame, said wheel including pairs of spokes, of a primary spoke bolt near the outer ends of and connecting the spokes in each pair, said primary bolt provided on one end outside of a spoke with a bent portion constituting a belt groove around the outside of said spokes, a belt on said bent ends in said belt groove, a motor, and means connecting said motor to said belt.

2. In a device of the class described, the comon the outside of a spoke and towards the outer 4 end of the spoke, whereby said bent portions and the spokes produce a belt groove on the outer face of said spokes, a belt resting on said bent ends and in said belt groove, a motor and means connecting said belt to said motor.

JOSEPH M. STREFF.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the Vfile of this patent:

'Gilbert vPublication of 1927. (A copy of this publication can be seen in Division 57.) 

